Manning says any interest in congressional seat hinges on decision by Coble

By Steve Huffman / Times-News

Published: Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 05:22 PM.

Tom Manning said the only way he might take steps toward pursuing a congressional seat is if U.S. Rep. Howard Coble announces he isn’t seeking re-election.

“To discuss would be premature” unless that happens, said Manning, chairman of the Alamance County Board of Commissioners and a former chairman of the Alamance-Burlington Board of Education.

An article in Thursday’s Greensboro News & Record mentioned Manning as one of several possible successors for the Republican nomination should Coble decide not to run in 2014. Coble, 81, a Greensboro resident, is serving his 15th term in the U.S. House. He has said he hasn’t made a decision on running again.

Manning said he’s “been approached by a couple of groups” concerning his interest in a bid for Congress. He said he’s told individuals from those groups he won’t be doing anything until Coble makes a decision.

“My focus is on being chairman of the county commissioners,” Manning said.

Ed McDonald, Coble’s chief of staff, said that while the congressman hasn’t made a decision on a 2014 bid, he’s filed appropriate paperwork with the Federal Election Commission should he decide to seek re-election. McDonald said such paperwork is necessary if a candidate raises at least $5,000 in an election bid.

“Technically, he’s a candidate for 2014,” McDonald said Friday. “We’re moving forward as if he’s going to run.”

Tom Manning said the only way he might take steps toward pursuing a congressional seat is if U.S. Rep. Howard Coble announces he isn’t seeking re-election.

“To discuss would be premature” unless that happens, said Manning, chairman of the Alamance County Board of Commissioners and a former chairman of the Alamance-Burlington Board of Education.

An article in Thursday’s Greensboro News & Record mentioned Manning as one of several possible successors for the Republican nomination should Coble decide not to run in 2014. Coble, 81, a Greensboro resident, is serving his 15th term in the U.S. House. He has said he hasn’t made a decision on running again.

Manning said he’s “been approached by a couple of groups” concerning his interest in a bid for Congress. He said he’s told individuals from those groups he won’t be doing anything until Coble makes a decision.

“My focus is on being chairman of the county commissioners,” Manning said.

Ed McDonald, Coble’s chief of staff, said that while the congressman hasn’t made a decision on a 2014 bid, he’s filed appropriate paperwork with the Federal Election Commission should he decide to seek re-election. McDonald said such paperwork is necessary if a candidate raises at least $5,000 in an election bid.

“Technically, he’s a candidate for 2014,” McDonald said Friday. “We’re moving forward as if he’s going to run.”

He said the deadline for filing to run for the congressional seat is February 2014. McDonald said he and Coble have met and had lunch with both Manning and Phil Berger Jr. — another name being tossed around for the congressional seat if Coble doesn’t run — on different occasions this week.

McDonald said Coble doesn’t discourage anyone from weighing the possibility of a run.

“They’re doing the right thing,” McDonald said. “They’re getting their ducks in a row.”

He said for that matter, Coble doesn’t discourage anyone from filing to run against him if they’re interested in the job.

“Howard’s told them, ‘Even if I decide to run, don’t let that stop you from running for Congress. It’s not my seat,’ ” McDonald said.

The 6th District includes all or part of 10 counties, including part of Alamance County. Former Guilford County commissioner Billy Yow and radio personality Bill Flynn challenged Coble for the Republican nomination in 2012.